Stolen sailboat standoff ends in Pacifica

Three people were taken into custody Monday after they stocked a stolen, 82-foot yacht with pizza and beer, and then ran the boat aground on a Pacifica beach, authorities said.

Authorities took two men and a woman off the boat hours after the "Darlin" got stuck in shallow water at Pacifica State Beach, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said. One of the officers who searched the vessel said he found cases of beer and pizza boxes.

After television news reports of the grounding aired Monday, the boat's owner called police to report it stolen, Sausalito police Sgt. Bill Fraass said.

"We do have thefts of vessels throughout the area, but the theft of a vessel of this size is uncommon," Fraass said.

The sailboat was trapped in shallow water at low tide and was unable to get back out to sea.

Deputies and the Coast Guard surrounded the boat and managed to get the trio off.

Leslie Gardner, 63, Dario Mira, 54, and Lisa Modawell, 56, were arrested on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy. The soggy suspects were later booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

The boat's owner was called out to work with authorities to have it removed from the beach before it was destroyed by the strong surf. Its hull was battered by 4- to 5-foot waves.